Amazing Surprise! Good Friends are Hard to Find!

     What an awesome weekend!  The first thing you should know is that I LOVE surprises!  It all began with one of our visitors....one of my best friends, Nikki, was coming down to visit for a quick girls weekend.  It's pretty ridiculous how much she and I are alike (right down to a dislike for tomatoes, an unhealthy ability to talk, and thinking of the same person although we are totally calling them by the wrong name..ala Marilyn Manson for Charles...amongst others) so, I was obviously pumped to spend the weekend with her.  When Steve and I met her at the airport, we were all giddy excited (Maybe not Steve as much, lol)!
     The best part though was that suddenly, during our giddiness, the passenger door to her rent a car pops open and out comes one of my other besties,  Moni (no blog for her though!)  This was probably one of the biggest surprises anyone has ever gotten over on me.  I had wishful thoughts that the third member of our trifecta would decide to come, but was more realistic.  Woooo hooooo for dreams coming true!  Seriously, I LOVE these girls! Even though I saw them a couple of days when I flew home to PA for a bridal shower and on another trip for my sister-friend's wedding, it was all a whirlwhind!  I was getting these girls to myself for 4 days!!!  (Imagine how excited my hubby was, lol!)
   Anyways, our time was awesome sauce, but way too short!  Our first night was super scandalous-we went to Bojangles (yummy bicuits!), Walmart and Winn-Dixie!  ha ha!  We did return home to have Mudslides, however!  I must say, I am a pretty good bartender!

Moni!  Plus, one of the many candy items purchased!

  The night ended with Nikki falling asleep during Bridesmaids!  When Moni and I woke her up, we thought she might kill us!  Seriously, if only we videotaped it, it coulda won some type of prize on America's Funniest Home Videos!
   The next day was a Disney marathon!  We started at Animal Kingdom.  If you've never been there, it is amazing!  The safari alone is worth a trip!   Here are a few  a bunch of shots

Moni getting ready for our two week journey

A Rare Shot! 

Lions are only active about 6 hours a day

Pretty cool beadwork to make this elephant!

   After Animal Kingdom, we headed over to Hollywood Studios, where I apparently took zero pictures!   The good news is that, we did eat at an amazing restaurant...Mama Melrose has to be my favorite place to eat at Disney.  It's Italian and the  Chicken Campanelle is to die for....it's like true love for your taste buds!  I highly suggest eating here on your next Disney trip.  Advance reservation recommended, it's a popular place! mmmm..... lol
  Our third leg of the Disney trip took us to Magic Kingdom for fireworks!  Their "Wishes" fireworks show is my favorite, though this is widely debated (some like Fantasmic at Hollywood Studios, others prefer Epcot's illuminations).  Maybe I'm a little jaded since Steve proposed at the castle following the fireworks and it was all dreamy...lol.  Anyways, we got some good shots after the show.  I also took a video of the fireworks, but that would spoil all the fun! 

   It was a great, very tiring day that wasn't over yet!  Moni lost her wallet in our travels!  Thankfully, it was found and we were able to pick it up the next day.  Otherwise, she'd just have to stay in Florida....fine with me, lol.  Anywho, the trip went by in a whirlwind, and ended too soon with me getting all teary as they drove off to the airport...until next time though gals! 
   So, I'm pretty proud of our three park wonderment, Disney is a pretty big place, lol!  Have you conquered four?  I just love that we were able to have a girls weekend!  It's amazing to have friends who love me! 

See you real soon!

Our Mini-Christmas

     With the holidays upon us and all of the beauty of Christmas at its peak, I have to admit how bummed I've been about not decorating or really participating in holidays.  Part of the problem is that we don't have family or close friends in the area.  I'm used to having Pollyanna dinners, Christmas gift exchanges and other fun holiday events...the miles just don't allow it :(

      Another part of the problem is that we have been living out of boxes and didn't think it made sense to haul out all of our decorations this year.  I've literally been avoiding all Christmas decorations in Target because I buy something there almost every year, ha ha!  So for now, we're just sticking to the little tree and a few other decorations that were just sitting in a Rubbermaid container and easy to access. Special thanks to my Aunt and Uncle who sent us some Christmas presents (a ton!) which we have to wait until Christmas for!  We're so excited!

So, in the mean time, I'm drooling over everyone else's decorations and sharing my neighbor's festive holiday lights...

Okay, so I intended my actual next door neighbor's photo but came across this one from Hollywood Studios which is puuurrtyyy (and also a neighbor:)

  Feel free to add comments or links to your Christmas decor, I'd love to see it!  

Final Note: I can't believe it is December 23rd and 84 degrees outside!  I am loving this but it's very confusing to a northerner like me!  I keep thinking it's summer, ha ha!